Warning! This post contains SPOILERS for Daredevil: Born Again episode 8Daredevil: Born Againepisode 8 proves Marvel Studios' overhaul of the show was the right call, and it’s made me even more excited to see what’s in store forDaredevil: Born Againseason 2. As fun and entertaining as the entire series has been thus far, not every episode was created the same. Keeping that in mind, I’m takingDaredevil: Born Againepisode 8 as a great sign of what’s yet to come for the popular MCU series.
The penultimate episode ofDaredevil: Born Again’sfirst season sees a reckoning between Matt Murdock and Mayor Wilson Fisk as Matt comes to realize that the events surrounding the murder of Foggy Nelson in the show’s premiere were more than they appeared on the surface. This leads to several key characters ending up in the same ballroom asBenjamin Poindexter’s Bullseyetakes aim from above.That said, what excites me most about this dynamic eighth episode has less to do with its cliffhanger ending, and more about what it likely represents for the upcoming second season ofDaredevil: Born Again.
Daredevil: Born Again Episode 8 Was The First Done After Marvel’s Creative Overhaul
Improving The MCU Show’s Beginning And Ending
Daredevil: Born Againepisode 8 was notably one of the first episodes produced with a new lead creative team. After the first six episodes of the show were filmed, the decision was made to bring in Dario Scardapane (The Punisher,Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan) as the series' new showrunner. Justin Benson and Aaron Moorhead were also brought on as lead directors (Moon Knight, Loki).
The majority ofDaredevil: Born Again’sepisodes were redone in some fashion, either with new edits and/or additional scenes. However, the bulk of the creative overhaul resulted in a new premiere that put Murdock in the Daredevil suit at the very beginning while also showing Foggy Nelson’s death, creating more emotional resonance and justification as to why it’s not untilDaredevil: Born Againepisode 6that Matt puts the suit back on, nearly a year later after Nelson’s supposed death.
Additionally, the overhaul also led to new ending episodes withDaredevil: Born Againepisodes 8 and 9. While the finale has yet to release on Disney+, it’s pretty easy to tell that the first and eighth episodes stand apart from the rest of the show, primarily due to their shared enhanced lighting and camerawork. This in turn just so happens to make them arguably some of the show’s best episodes overall.
Daredevil: Born Again Episode 8 Might Be Its Best Yet
The Lighting, Camerawork, and Tension Are All Very Impressive
From the very first shot of a rose outside Bullseye’s cell,Daredevil: Born Againepisode 8 is a cut above. Not only does the episode tackle the aftermath of Heather Glenn shooting Muse in the previous episode and her disdain for masked vigilantes, but it also sees Vanessa and Mayor Fisk darkly reconciling their challenged marriage as the man with whom Vanessa had an affair lies dead at their feet. The episode culminates with Matt confronting Vanessa at Mayor Fisk’s inaugural Black and White Ball, only for Murdock to take a bullet for Fisk when Bullseye opens fire, ending the episode on a major cliffhanger.
That being said, the dynamic plot is only part of what makesDaredevil: Born Againepisode 8 so captivating and one of the show’s best. Much like in the premiere, there’s some truly inventive camera work with zooms and various changes to the aspect ratio, allowing viewers to connect with Matt Murdock’s enhanced senses. Likewise,there’s a unique blue lighting saturation that occurs during scenes with Bullseye, which is later paired and contrasted with a foreboding red saturation focused on Matt as he lies bleeding out (which also parallels the shot of Foggy Nelson in the premiere).
Audio also plays a big role in building the tension of the episode as it reaches its final scene, featuring distortions in the music and various sounds of the party becoming more prominent as Matt listens to Fisk’s taunts, right before he hears Bullseye adjusting his rifle and finger about to pull the trigger.The overall quality and aesthetic ofDaredevil: Born Againepisode 8 can only be compared to what was seen in the premiere, and it’s a testament to the fact that the show’s creative overhaul was very much the right choice. It also stands to reason that the MCU show’s finale will very much be the same.
More Narrative and Visual Cohesion Across The Board
Image via Disney+
Again, the entirety ofDaredevil: Born Againhas been quite impressive. I especially enjoyed the fifth episode’s bank heist and Daredevil’s first battle with Muse.That said, it’s easy to see thatDaredevil: Born Againepisodes 1 & 8 (and most likely 9) are something truly special. As a result, I’m eager to see more, and I’m very much looking forward to the fact that Scardapane, Benson, and Moorhead will be able to tacklethe show’s second season head-on from scratch.
The new creative team will be able to constructDaredevil: Born Againfrom the ground up, rather than working around what had already been filmed. This means the second season could have far more narrative and visual cohesion across the board, resulting in what will likely be an even better sophomore season when it releases next year. It’s been confirmed that the new season is already in production, which hopefully means it will start streaming around the same time in 2026.
All in all,Daredevil: Born Again’sfinaleis bound to be very exciting and dynamic as Daredevil likely faces a reckoning with Bullseye as well as Mayor Fisk’s Anti-Vigilante Task Force. Frank Castle’s Punisher is expected return as well.However, I’m already pumped forDaredevil: Born Againseason 2, which stands to be a clear improvement now that the MCU show has found its feet at the end of its first season.
